[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

"Is the compost derived from oleander leaves toxic?"

Gail,  I have always believed that the compounds presumed to be toxic in 
oleanders would be disintegrated if completely composted but I can't prove 
that theory. I routinely compost eucalyptus with none of the advertised ill 
affects that I can identify. We should, however, know the absolute truth 
about such legends and Master Gardeners should be one of the messengers. 
Composting is a most beneficial practice even if it is only that occuring 
naturally in the interface between soil and leaf litter.

Perhaps your inquiry will force the experts out in the open..

Stories abound about sickness or death from roasting hot dogs or 
marshmellows on an oleander stick and I personally will believe that to be 
true until proven to my satisfaction to be false. I have never heard of the 
leaves themselves compromising human, animal or plant life but, if any risk 
at all is involved, every man, woman and child should be fully cognizant of 
it.

But, oleander hedges in the Phoenix area are a lot more plentiful than 
rattle snakes and black widow spiders and scorpions. Everyone knows the risk 
of sickness or death from encounters with the latter but real hazards, if 
any exist, from oleanders are virtually unknown.

I compost every scrap of plant material produced in my yard but I would not 
use animal waste in any form nor any plant debris presumed to be poisonous. 
I don't grow nor husband either either.

Enlightening commentary encouraged.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Ieditnews at aol.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 4:00 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Gail
> 85044
> Ieditnews at aol.com
>
> I have recently started a compost pile -- with a lot of oleander leaves. 
> After starting the pile, I read that oleander shouldn't be used because of 
> its toxicity. I can understand that admonition if I was going to use the 
> compost for a veggie garden. However, I will be using it only for 
> ornamental plants. Is it still not a wise idea to use oleanders.
>
>
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